Self Portrait Challenge { reflective surfaces 4 }

my world in a spoon





Ok, maybe not my whole world.
But part of it.
Gosh, it sure looks big thanks to convexity!
And I look like a penguin, ha...


last week of Reflective Surfaces over on Self Portrait Challenge...

pleased with the initial results

Before school started, we decided to rearrange the girls' room, putting both beds together against one wall. As soon as we had everything arranged, I realized we needed some sort of coordinating art over the beds to bring it all together. Nicole suggested something with their initials, at which point I knew exactly what I wanted to do...





How I did it...

The frames are from IKEA... one can of white spray paint later, and we were on our way!

I used a rotary cutter w/ mat and the cardboard insert from the frame as my guide to cut the background fabric which came from my stash.

Putting the glass back in the frame after painting proved to be the most difficult part of the job. Who knew fitting an oval piece of glass into an oval frame had to be exactly right or it wouldn't work? I cut my finger, so be careful!

The letters were the most complicated part. There may have been an easier way to do this, but I had to use the resources available to me, so here's what I did:
- I typed the letter into Word with the Parisian font (free download available here)
- changed the page layout to .5" on all sides, with 11x14 paper size
- changed the font size to 800 for the letter "N"
- changed the font size to 1000 for the letter "c" (I used the lower case "c" in this font because I liked how it looked better than the capital option, but this made it smaller than the capital "N" so I had to compensate by using a larger font size)
- held a piece of regular 8.5x11" typing paper up to my screen and gently traced a letter onto it with a pencil, then repeated with a new piece of paper for the other letter
- cut each letter out as cleanly as possible with sharp scissors
- turned each letter upside down on white cardstock, and lightly traced it (upside down so that trace marks won't be visible on the right side of the letter when finished)
- carefully cut out the cardstock letters - done!

I attached the fabric to the cardboard insert, and then the letter to the fabric, using (gasp!) a glue stick. It worked, didn't make anything pucker, and allowed for easy repositioning. Then I put them in the frames, hung them, and called the girls to come see.








The squeals I received were worth the bandaided finger...

swinging along

Another great Itty Bitty Baby Dress from the pattern by MadeByRae...





This one is for my friend Jill, who, after 3 boys, is now blessed with a little girl as well.

Self Portrait Challenge { reflective surfaces 3 }

:: dinosaur ::

( smile )

No smile is as beautiful as the one that struggles through the tears.

I wish I could bake something every single day.

I'm a hopeless sucker for baking...
chocolate chip cream cheese bars today...
what could I do tomorrow?




(for Self Portrait Challenge - September's theme is Reflective Surfaces)


Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Bars

Mix together:
1 box devil's food cake mix
1 egg
1/3 c. oil (I use applesauce to reduce the fat)

Spread in ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake 15 min. @ 350°.

Meanwhile, beat together:
8 oz. package cream cheese or neufchatal cheese
1/3 c. sugar
1 egg

Spread over baked layer, sprinkle with:
1 c. chocolate chips.

Return to oven for 15 min. more.
Cool before cutting.

love this book!

I picked up Found, Free & Flea by Tereasa Surratt two weeks ago at the library from the "new" shelf, and have been delightedly thumbing through it ever since.





The author's husband spent his summers at a small family camp that became available for sale, so they purchased and renovated it. In the process, they uncovered decades of old things, full of character and interest. She began using those items to create collections from flea markets, yard sales, and other inexpensive venues. The collections became the gear and decor for the entire camp!

I especially appreciated the way the author encourages finding useful things, not just decorative things. There are so many wonderful, useful, well-made treasures just waiting to be found and given a second life - the best kind of recycling!





This book is gorgeous and creative, and most importantly, full of fantastic finds! I have found tons of great ideas and inspiration within these pages. Now I'm itching to head to the flea market again...


"Have nothing in your houses
that you do not know to be useful
or believe to be beautiful."

-- quote by William Morris in Found, Free & Flea

introspection

thoughts of who I will become
are not as shadowed
as memories of who I was.

.......................

for Self Portrait Challenge's September theme: Reflective Surfaces

Self Portrait Challenge { Inspired by Literature 4 }

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

-- James 1:17


final week for photos inspired by literature with SPC